Djokovic survives as Musetti forced to quit
An upset in the making
The Australian Open quarterfinal between Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti unfolded as one of the most surprising matches of the tournament before ending prematurely. According to Tennis.com, Djokovic advanced to his 13th Australian Open semifinal after Musetti was forced to retire early in the third set with a leg injury.
For much of the night, Musetti controlled the match. He claimed the opening two sets 6,4 and 6,3, exposing an unusually error prone performance from the 10 time Australian Open champion and reversing the tone of their recent meetings.
Djokovic acknowledged that reality moments after the match concluded. Speaking on court, he said he felt sorry for his opponent and admitted he believed Musetti had been the better player throughout the contest.
Momentum halted by injury
The turning point arrived early in the third set. Musetti began to show visible discomfort as Djokovic moved ahead 3,1. While serving under pressure, the Italian approached the net and ended the match, unable to continue.
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Djokovic later described the situation as one of the most difficult outcomes in sport, noting how cruel timing can be at the Grand Slam level. He reiterated that Musetti deserved full credit for the position he had put himself in before the injury intervened.
According to Tennis.com, Djokovic also highlighted how Musetti’s variety disrupted his rhythm, explaining that rallies rarely ended when expected and that his opponent consistently forced extra shots and decisions.
Numbers tell the story
The statistics from the opening two sets reflected Musetti’s authority. He recorded 25 winners against 17 unforced errors, while Djokovic struggled to control his own game.
Djokovic joked afterward about the imbalance in his performance, explaining that his clean ball striking disappeared quickly and never fully returned. While he mentioned minor blister issues, he made clear that Musetti’s level, not physical discomfort, was the defining factor in the early stages.
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History advances, context lingers
Despite the unusual circumstances, the result carried historical significance. Tennis.com reported that the victory marked Djokovic’s 103rd career match win at the Australian Open, moving him ahead of Roger Federer for the most wins at the tournament by any player.
Djokovic now progresses to another semifinal in Melbourne, where he will face either Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton. Yet the achievement was framed with restraint rather than celebration.
His closing remarks focused less on records and more on fortune, acknowledging that advancement came through circumstances no competitor wishes to experience, and expressing hope for Musetti’s recovery.
Sources: Tennis.com
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